Chapter 42
“Sister. Where are we?”
“The Imperial Palace. And this is the Empress’s Palace.”
“Why are we here?”
Ian, holding Vivian’s hand, looked around busily, turning his head this way and that. Having been born and raised in Raspol, this was Ian’s first time in the capital, and he had been glued to the carriage window, eagerly taking in the sights all the way to the palace.
“Didn’t I tell you yesterday? Today is the day we meet Her Majesty the Empress, and we must behave politely.”
“Yes. Sister, you’ve said that ten times already.”
Though he spoke as if he was tired of hearing it, Ian was simply happy to be with his sister.
“It’s been a while, Lady Vivian.”
“Yes, it’s been a while, Alina.”
As usual, Maid Alina greeted Vivian.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Ian. I am Alina, the Empress’s maid.”
“Oh, hello.”
Ian stepped back hesitantly at the polite greeting from the unfamiliar person. Alina smiled at his reaction.
“Her Majesty the Empress has been very eager to see both of you. She is in the rear garden now. Please follow me.”
Alina walked ahead of Vivian and Ian, mentioning how the Empress had made arrangements in the rear garden because she knew Vivian liked it there.
While Alina and Vivian exchanged light pleasantries, Ian busily looked around. As soon as they entered the rear garden, Ian let out a low exclamation.
“Wow.”
Alina and Vivian burst into laughter at Ian’s exclamation.
It was the same place where Vivian, as a child, had first come with her mother Daisy and had tea with the Empress. Today, a tea table was set up there again.
And sitting there, still showcasing her beautiful appearance, was Empress Annette.
“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire.”
Ian, who had been blinking at the sight of the beautiful Empress, was startled by Vivian’s greeting and quickly bowed.
“Hello!”
“Ian, that’s not how you greet…”
Vivian had taught Ian how to properly greet the Empress just the day before, but seeing him greet her in his usual manner, she reached out to correct him.
“It’s alright, Vivian. Ian is still young and this is his first time at the palace, so the royal etiquette might be difficult for him.”
Empress Annette smiled kindly and stopped Vivian.
“This is the first time I’m seeing you. You must be Ian Dinever.”
“Yes! I am Ian Dinever.”
With the Empress covering for his mistake, Ian’s voice grew a bit louder. Annette smiled, covering her mouth.
“You really are the spitting image of Duke Tereon.”
At Annette’s words, Vivian also bowed her head and smiled silently.
“I had asked Louis for a portrait of Ian, but now I get to see him in person. I was so thrilled yesterday, I almost screamed.”
Annette, seated and sipping tea, spoke while keeping her eyes on Ian.
“I was excited to meet you, Vivian, but it feels like I’ve received another gift.”
“I’m glad Your Majesty is pleased.”
Annette Empress smiled brightly, seemingly delighted by Vivian’s words. They talked about how things had been in Raspol.
Ian began to fidget more and more as the adults continued their conversation. Annette, noticing this, smiled and patted Ian’s head.
“Ian, you must be bored.”
“No, I’m not.”
Seeing Ian straighten up and sit properly at the Empress’s words, Vivian bowed her head to stifle her laughter.
Vivian knew well how much her mischievous brother was trying to hold himself back.
“Alina.”
The Empress called Alina.
“It would be nice if you could show Ian around the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ian’s eyes sparkled at the Empress’s words.
“Sister, can I go?”
Ian sought Vivian’s permission. When she nodded, Ian jumped off his chair and bowed to the Empress to express his thanks.
As she watched Ian leave the garden with Alina, Vivian turned to find herself meeting the warm gaze of the Empress’s beautiful violet eyes.
“Vivian.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Empress reached out her hand. Vivian slowly placed her hand on the Empress’s white, delicate hand.
Their hands clasped. The Empress’s hand was warm.
“You’ve grown up so beautifully without Daisy, and I’m so proud. And thank you for coming to the capital with our Crown Prince.”
Vivian shook her head at the Empress’s words.
“I know you’re smart and wise, Vivian, but life in the palace isn’t easy, so I worry.”
Vivian gently squeezed the Empress’s hand.
“But I’m here, so if you ever have a hard time, don’t hesitate to come to me. I may not be as comforting as your mother, but I hope you can trust and rely on me.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Knowing that Annette’s words were sincere, Vivian smiled brightly to reassure her.
“If Louis ever upsets you, tell me! I know my son’s flaws well.”
Annette’s worried expression softened as she mentioned Louis.
“The Crown Prince may seem like a good match on the outside, but he’s blunt and cold. He doesn’t know how to speak kindly…”
“Y-Your Majesty.”
Vivian, not expecting Annette to criticize Louis, looked around nervously, trying to stop her.
“Those traits might make him a suitable Emperor to lead the Empire, but as a husband and my son, he’s a zero.”
Annette patted the back of Vivian’s hand.
“But it’s partly my fault that Louis turned out this way.”
Annette’s eyes turned sad as she looked at Vivian. Seeing the Empress’s sad eyes for the first time, Vivian couldn’t find the words to respond.
“Daisy used to look at me with those same concerned eyes.”
Annette shrugged her shoulders lightly, as if shaking off her sadness.
“Please take care of him, Vivian.”
Annette quickly regained her gentle demeanor. Vivian quietly held the Empress’s hand tightly.
***
“Sister.”
A week had passed since Vivian and Ian came up to the capital with Louis. Autumn was about to leave, and winter seemed to be waiting for its turn.
After Ian had hidden in the luggage cart and come to the capital, the nanny in Raspol had hurriedly packed and decided to come to the capital as well.
Without the nanny, Ian stuck close to Vivian, spending every day by her side.
However, since their visit to the palace, Vivian had been busier than ever, even more so than in Raspol.
“Yes, Ian.”
Vivian answered without taking her eyes off the papers. Ian, who had been resting his chin on her desk, pouted.
“Sister, are you busy?”
“Yes, I’m busy.”
Although she answered, it seemed she wasn’t paying any attention to him, so Ian snatched the paper Vivian was looking at.
“Ian?”
Startled by the sudden disappearance of the paper she was reading, Vivian looked at Ian.
“You didn’t even have breakfast with me! You only had a quick lunch! You’re busy during dinner too! And you don’t play with me!”
Vivian blinked as she looked at the fuming Ian.
“I hate you, Sister!”
Furious, Ian clutched the paper Vivian had been reading and ran outside.
“I-Ian!”
What Vivian had been looking at contained the guest list for the tea party that Empress Annette would be hosting soon, as well as various pieces of important information Vivian needed to know.
She hadn’t read much of it yet, but Ian had snatched it and run away.
Vivian quickly got up and chased after her brother. However, catching a 6-year-old boy while wearing a cumbersome dress was not easy.
“Ian, bring it back.”
“No!”
At the end of the first-floor hallway, Ian shouted loudly.
“Alright. I’ll play with you, so bring it here.”
“Liar!”
Ian raised his voice again, reminding her that she had promised to play with him yesterday too.
Vivian felt a pang of guilt. Remembering her promise to play with Ian, she realized her mistake.
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I’ll play with you as soon as I finish this!”
Vivian shouted.
Tia, who was standing in the middle of the hallway, looked back and forth between Ian and Vivian, who were shouting from opposite ends of the hallway.
“Really?”
“Yes! Really!”
As Ian, who was half-convinced, began to approach, Vivian took a step closer. One step, two steps, and then ten steps. As his sister got closer, Ian frowned and pointed behind her.
“You’re a liar, Sister!”
With that, Ian turned and disappeared.
“I-Ian!”
Vivian called out desperately as Ian vanished. But her voice only echoed in the empty hallway.
Just then, a voice came from behind her.
“Are you two rehearsing a play or something?”
It was Louis.
He walked elegantly to Vivian’s side, hands in his pockets, looking at the spot where Ian had disappeared.
“What brings you here…?”
There had been no notification of his visit. Already flustered by Ian’s sudden behavior, Vivian looked up at him, even more confused.
“Oh, I was just passing by. And I have something to give you, Vivian.”
At Louis’s words, Vivian let out a deep sigh and looked at the spot where Ian had been.
“Do we really need to find Ian?”
“Yes. Ian ran off with an important document.”
“I see.”
Louis nodded and turned to Rayden, who had followed him in.
“Find Young Master Ian Dinever.”
“Pardon?”
Rayden asked back at the command. Louis frowned at Rayden’s question and pointed to where Ian had disappeared.
“He went that way.”
Vivian, startled by Louis’s command, waved her hands in denial. She couldn’t borrow the hands of the Royal Knights for a game of hide-and-seek.
They were too high-ranking for a game of hide-and-seek.
“No, it’s alright. I can find Ian later.”
“Didn’t you say Ian is good at hide-and-seek?”
“How did you know…?”
“You wrote it in your letter.”
At Louis’s words, Vivian’s heart started to beat irregularly.
It was something she had written in their letters when she was in Raspol. Knowing that he remembered it made her heart flutter.
“Then, I’ll deploy more knights to find him.”
Rayden bowed and passed by Vivian and Louis to search for Ian. Trying to calm her fluttering heart, Vivian turned her gaze from Louis to Rayden’s back. As Vivian watched Rayden’s broad back, Louis spoke.
“Let’s go too.”
“Us too…? You’re going to look for Ian as well?”
“It seems my cute rival ran away because of me.”
“What?”
Leaving behind those cryptic words, Louis started walking. Vivian, who had been staring blankly at his back, hurriedly followed him.
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